Food packaging equipment supplier Harpak, Inc., South Easton, Mass., said it merged with Spain's Ulma Group and Ulma Packaging Systems Inc., Onati, Spain.

A M King Construction, Charlotte, N.C., said it broke ground for a 103,000-square-foot fresh bun bakery and distribution center in Clayton, N.C., (see image, left) for Northeast Foods Inc.

Exopack LLC, Spartanburg, S.C., said it completed its $82 million purchase of two food packaging plants from Bemis Company.

To provide greater efficiency in customer service, Stellar, a Jacksonville, Fla., construction, design, engineering and mechanical services firm, has expanded its existing Refrigeration division to include the company’s Maintenance, Parts and Operations and Automation Services divisions.

JBT Corporation, Chicago, said its JBT FoodTech business will supply $5.5 million in portioning equipment to a "major North American-based poultry company."

Stellar, a construction, design, engineering and mechanical services firm, celebrated its 25-year anniversary on July 1, 2010.

Cloverleaf Cold Storage, Sioux City, Iowa, said it purchased three freezer warehouse facilities in Chesapeake, Va.; Benson, N.C.; and Sumter, S.C.  Terms were not disclosed.

Sonoco, Hartsville, S.C., said it acquired Associated Packaging Technologies, Inc. (APT), North America's largest manufacturer and supplier of crystallized polyethylene terepthalate (CPET) containers to the frozen food industry.

Solar Nation, Portland, Ore., said it installed and commissioned a 200kW solar-electric system on a Gresham, Ore., public refrigerated warehouse operated by Henningsen Cold Storage Co.